Volkswagen is expected to launch an entirely new Golf in a few months, but that hasn't stopped it from ending the life of the old model with a bang. Instead of leaving the Mark IV version of its perennial hatchback to fade into obscurity, Volkswagen has introduced the R32, the most extreme Golf ever.

It has been something of a wait for the R32 to arrive in this country, after the first version missed the boat and the distributor negotiated for a special batch of 200 to be built for Australia. Has it been worth the wait? Depends on whether you've got $63,000 to spend on a small to medium hatchback.

Whereas previous Golfs with pretensions to performance status -- and that means those with GTi badges -- made do with tweaked four-cylinder engines, including low-pressure turbos, the R32 has had a complete transplant. It has a V6 engine. The 3.2-litre develops 177kW, or more than twice that of the cheapest Golf, which has half the engine capacity.

Because it is a naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine rather than the more highly strung four, it has plenty of torque, with 320Nm on tap from below 3000rpm.

But there's more to the package than performance. The standard equipment list is extensive and includes leather seats, cruise control, in-dash six-stacker CD, rain-sensing wipers and heated seats.

It has a different look to the standard Golf, but it's a bit more subtle than might be expected, given the R32's price and potential. Instead of wild wings and spoilers, it has wide 18-inch wheels on low-profile rubber, small side skirts, a deeper front air dam and rear bumper, plenty of mesh up front, and a couple of tail pipes.

There are also big ventilated disc brakes to handle stopping, all-wheel-drive to help with grip and traction, and a suspension that has been lowered and stiffened.

At less than 1500kg, the R32 doesn't weigh too much, and with a surfeit of bottom-end pulling power, acceleration is spirited. Volkswagen claims it will hit 100kmh from zero in 6.6 seconds. It needs two gear changes to get to that point.

The driver can get away without too many shifts of the six-speed gearbox because the V6 will pull high gears from low speeds and feels much happier in the middle of its rev range than higher up.

It's not a car that is easy to drive smoothly, thanks to a hair-trigger throttle that acts more like a switch. The result is usually a jerky progression of gear changes.

The ride is lumpy to the point of harshness, and the very low-profile tyres are prone to catching on sharp bumps that crash through to the cabin. The engine has an always audible and pleasant throaty rasp. Less impressive is the rumble and roar of the tyres over coarse bitumen.

But there are few complaints about the way the R32 steers, stops and handles.

The AWD system is set up to direct drive to the rear if the front wheels start to slip, but when moving through fast corners, this can have the opposite and unsettling effect if the driver lifts off the throttle momentarily, causing the electronic stability control to intervene. But in most circumstances this Golf simply grips, puts its power faithfully down to the ground and gets on with business.

The interior is rather plain, and this is mostly where the Golf's age is starting to show. It's a simple dashboard, with the stereo slotted into the centre console and ventilation controls mounted rather too low for instant attention. The chunky three-spoke steering wheel is excellent, and the heavily bolstered seats gives loads of support, even if they hamper entry and egress. Stereo quality is nothing special, and the radio seems to have poor reception.

It's not a car that favours rear-seat passengers -- even thought the left-front seat folds up and forward to aid access, there's precious little leg room in the back, and head room is also limited. That kind of makes the hatchback's promise of four-seat practicality a little moot. At least boot space under the hatch is ample, although it's at the expense of carrying any type of spare tyre, because there's nothing inside but a can of sealant and an electric compressor.

There's no doubt the R32 is something of a focused performance car.

It is difficult to drive smoothly, sacrificing practicality for attitude and costing as much or more than other well-credentialled coupes and sedans.

Maybe when the new version appears -- and hopefully it won't take as long -- a few of the bugs will have been ironed out.

Alfa Romeo 147 GTA -- $59,990 -- 4 stars (out of 5)One of the world's best sixes is teamed to the 147's stylish body to make a cracking hyper-hatch. Front-drive traits are evident, but better controlled than larger 156 GTA.